TRANSPLANTING 233 



trunk this is done, the better for the tree, and the spade 

 used should be kept as sharp as possible. The roots 

 should not be barked, mangled or split by the digging 

 tools, as is so often done with nursery stock. Tree- 

 digging machines are now much used by the larger 

 nurserymen. 



403. Lifting large trees. Trees considerably larger 

 than nursery sizes are best lifted when the ground is 

 frozen about their roots. A trench may be dug about 

 the tree before the ground freezes, deep enough to per- 

 mit the severing of the main roots, and a hole for the 

 reception of the cylinder of earth left within the trench 

 should also be dug at the place to which it is desired to 

 remove the tree. This cylinder should be large enough 

 so that the tree is left with abundant roots, or as large 

 as can be removed with the apparatus at hand. When 

 the ground is frozen to the proper depth, the tree may 

 be tipped over by means of a rope and windlass, after 

 which the cylinder of earth inclosing the roots may be 

 pried up sufficiently to allow some low vehicle to be 

 placed beneath it. The branches are usually permitted 

 to drag upon the ground in removal, since the wounded 

 parts may be cut off in the severe pruning necessary in 

 planting large trees (409). 



Large trees may be lifted or lowered to accommodate 

 grading. A trench is dug round the tree, leaving a 

 cylinder of earth intact about the roots. Soil is then 

 removed from beneath one side of the cylinder below 

 the roots and a block set under as a fulcrum. The top 

 of the tree is then inclined toward the fulcrum by means 

 of a rope, until the roots are lifted on the opposite side. 

 If the tree is to be raised, soil is packed under the elevated 

 roots, after which the top is tilted in the opposite direc- 



